Parkland: Brother of Nikolas Cruz says he 'regrets' bullying Florida shooting suspect

Zachary Cruz told investigators he felt guilty about the attack and might have prevented it

Nikolas Cruz is accused of murdering 17 people (AP)

The Florida school shooting suspect was bullied by his younger brother when they were younger, according to a sheriff’s report.

Nikolas Cruz, 19, was targeted by Zachary Cruz because of resentment over his status as the “favoured” child in the family, it is claimed.

Zachary, now 18, admitted to investigators from Palm Beach and Broward Counties that it was something he “now regrets ever doing”, according to a report seen by CNN.

He also told investigators two days after the shooting that he felt guilty about the attack and could possibly have prevented it.

The report states that Zachary wishes he had been nicer to his brother.

Nikolas and Zachary were adopted by Roger and Lynda Cruz 17 years ago but both are now dead. Nikolas went to live with another family when his mother died in November.

Broward County Sheriffs were called to the Cruz home at least 19 times in relation to Nikolas Cruz and 25 times in relation to Zachary between 2008 and 2017.

Nikolas Cruz is charged with murdering 14 students and three teachers using a semi-automatic rifle at Parkland’s Majory Stoneman Douglas High School on 14 February.

Police say he was armed with 330 rounds of ammunition when he entered the school and had etched swastikas on to the magazines. He is also said to have worn a gas mask.

The shooting sparked a national debate over gun laws. Cruz legally purchased his rifle about a year before the shooting – at around the same time he was expelled for disciplinary problems.